Thursday, December 31, 2009

I couldn't let this day go by without posting one last word for the year.

So I leave you with these thoughts....

This year has had so many wonderful moments in it:

A great year for traveling to see dear friends and family-- from Michigan to Washington (and Texas in between.)

It's been a year of blessings: finding good renters for our Arizona house; family members making it through surgeries and accidents without too many complications. There have been engagements and weddings and births.

Its been a year of growth: creatively, personally, spiritually and physically.

Its been a year for re-connecting with friends I love.

It's been a year for good things.

Its also been difficult...

Two dear friends lost children this year.

Three of my friends lost a parent...all to cancer.

I've got people I love who are struggling in their marriages.

Some friends have dealt with unexpected health issues, some with chronic illness.

There have been messes, some of my own making.

Yes, there has been unimaginable joy and deep, deep, sorrow.

Sometimes, when the weather get colder and the days get longer, the sorrow is what lingers in my mind... My heart... My focus...

Until I read this:

One day we shall see that nothing - literally nothing- that could have increased our eternal happiness has been denied us and that nothing - literally nothing - that could have reduced that happiness has been left with us.

-J.I.Packer

God is in control. In 2009. In 2010.

As I look back at all the sorrows and blessings of the year that has past. I am reminded that life isn't temporal, there's so much more...but in the meantime we have a full life to live, and we aren't left to ourselves in times of joy or sorrow:

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37

I am humbled and grateful as I look to the year ahead, with trembling anticipation, knowing whatever comes, blessing or sorrow, I can hold Gods truth close to my heart.

And the verse in Romans ... those are the ones God used to draw me to Himself. Reading those (8:38-39) finally convinced me that even I cannot keep myself from His great love for me. He is so good - isn't He? Overwhelmingly so.

What a wonderful way to start the New Year! It is such an encouragement & a great reminder that God IS in control & nothing catches Him by surprise.One of my highlights was meeting you IRL & I look forward to seeing more of you (I'd still love to come meet Clinton one day...)